Aston Villa earn first win as Everton stumble

Aston Villa claimed their well deserved first win of the season after quality goals from Wesley and El-Ghazi.

Despite first-half control, Everton failed to capitalise on their success and a quick free-kick from Jack Grealish led to an opportunity for Jota to make a clinical pass to assist Wesley for the opening goal. The goal saw Villa gain confidence and keep the lead.

Up until the goal, Everton were relying on the energy of Digne, Richarlison and Bernard to push forward and dominate most of the creative play. After the goal, Coleman’s presence could also be felt as he pushed up on the right-wing to offer more support, attempting crosses that just didn’t seem to find the boots of an Everton striker.

Jota was the star player in the first half bringing life to the Villa attack and playing the pivotal through ball for Wesley. Jota’s energy could be seen on the pitch as he posed the greatest threat.

The second half saw some more back-and-forth play which was aided by Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean joining the Everton squad. Everton still continued to give away set-pieces which Villa were only too happy to take.

Iwobi made the best play of the second half for Everton, almost equalising but ultimately hitting the post after reclaiming the ball in what was otherwise a fairly uneventful second half for his side besides Coleman and Trezeguet’s bookings following a strange altercation which saw Coleman take a quick set-piece that somehow put Trezeguet on the ground.

After a close shot for Walcott, El Ghazi made the real highlight of the second half in the final minute after being subbed on for the excellent Jota. El-Ghazi ran in front of Grealish in the final minute to put a second goal past Pickford.

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